Results 11,401-11,420 of 13,214 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (3 Jul 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The Deputy's question relates to the funding, management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities. (27 Jun 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I am pleased to take this opportunity to address the important issues raised by Deputy Deenihan. I emphasise the Government's commitment to providing a high-quality service to all those with a disability. This commitment is illustrated by the substantial investment we have made in disability services in recent years. Between 1997 and 2006, additional revenue and capital funding of €851...

State Airports. (27 Jun 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The State Airports Act 2004 provides the framework for the establishment of Shannon and Cork as independent airports. As part of the airport restructuring process the boards of Cork and Shannon airports are required to prepare business plans for eventual separation. Due to the fact they are interlinked, the production of the three airport business plans must be co-ordinated by the Dublin...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (27 Jun 2007)

Pat Gallagher: Asthma is not a notifiable disease and consequently, detailed information on its incidence in the general population is not routinely available. From the research available in this country, however, asthma is a common childhood condition with approximately 10% having experienced an attack of asthma. Similar to other European countries, the level of asthma has increased and is now...

Written Answers — Community Care: Community Care (27 Jun 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The Meals on Wheels service is an important element of the community and domiciliary care provided to older people. The Government has recognised this by providing an additional €2.5m in both 2006 and 2007 for the service. This has resulted in an increase of 50% in the funding for this service. In addition, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has provided additional capital funding to...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (27 Jun 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 148 together. A national audit of stroke services, funded by my Department, is currently being undertaken by the Irish Heart Foundation in association with the HSE. This audit is scheduled to be completed in early Autumn. In addition an audit of the implementation of the existing cardiovascular health strategy 'Building Healthier Hearts' is being...

Co-location of Hospitals: Motion (Resumed). (27 Jun 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I wish to respond to some of the issues raised by the Opposition in the course of the debate. Private patients are receiving priority access to public hospitals at the expense of public patients. Some 2,500 beds in public hospitals are ring-fenced for the exclusive use of private patients and that is not equitable or fair. As the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, stated last...

Co-location of Hospitals: Motion (Resumed). (27 Jun 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I will deal with that issue.

Co-location of Hospitals: Motion (Resumed). (27 Jun 2007)

Pat Gallagher: There was a great deal of interest in the initiative from public hospitals and the private sector. When the co-located hospital has been built and opened, every public bed in the public hospital will be accessed on the basis of medical need and no other. There will be no preferential treatment in the public hospital system for insured patients or self-payers. As part of its contract with...

Co-location of Hospitals: Motion (Resumed). (27 Jun 2007)

Pat Gallagher: Public hospitals will enter into contractual arrangements with the new co-located hospitals to provide what the former need. The new private co-located hospitals will be required to provide services to the HSE at discounted prices under the rules of the capital allowance scheme. Last night, the Opposition put forward a figure of €70 million for seven years in reference to the cost of the...

Co-location of Hospitals: Motion (Resumed). (27 Jun 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I have five minutes to make my response.

Co-location of Hospitals: Motion (Resumed). (27 Jun 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I did; I said it conforms with section 10 of the Health Act 2004.

Co-location of Hospitals: Motion (Resumed). (27 Jun 2007)

Pat Gallagher: Deputy McManus should read section 10 of the Act.

Co-location of Hospitals: Motion (Resumed). (27 Jun 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The board of Tallaght Hospital agreed unanimously last week to proceed with co-location. No hospital has been forced to participate in this initiative. Private health care has always been a feature of the State's health care system, and public and private service provision have complemented each other. Access to public hospitals should be based on need only. The co-location initiative...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (25 Apr 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together. Last February, I announced the arrangements for a new Rural Transport Programme (RTP) which is being administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department. This new Programme builds on the success of the pilot Rural Transport Initiative (2000-2006) and puts it on a permanent mainstreamed basis with significantly increased funding. The...

Written Answers — Marine Accidents: Marine Accidents (24 Apr 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 642 and 654 together. My colleague, Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Transport, and I have had discussions with many of the families of those involved in recent tragedies. We announced yesterday that a request will be issued shortly at EU level seeking tenders on the raising of both the Pere Charles and the Maggie B. We have also requested our colleague, the...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (24 Apr 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 643, 646 and 650 together. Last February, I announced the arrangements for a new Rural Transport Programme (RTP). This new Programme builds on the success of the pilot Rural Transport Initiative (2000-2006) and puts it on a permanent mainstreamed basis with significantly increased funding. In line with Towards 2106 — the new Social Partnership Agreement, the...

Written Answers — Rural Transport Services: Rural Transport Services (4 Apr 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I recently announced the arrangements for a new Rural Transport Programme (RTP). This new Programme builds on the success of the pilot Rural Transport Initiative (2000-2006) and puts it on a permanent mainstreamed basis. Thirty-four community transport groups throughout the country are currently being funded under the RTP to address the particular transport needs of their rural areas. Two of...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (3 Apr 2007)

Pat Gallagher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 156 together. 'Transport Access for All', my Department's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005, along with those of five other Departments, was approved by the Oireachtas in Autumn 2006. The Department of Transport Plan addresses the accessibility needs of people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments across all transport modes and...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (3 Apr 2007)

Pat Gallagher: The Ports Policy Statement, published in January 2005, states that the continued operation of the regional harbours under the outdated provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance. The Policy Statement reiterated the view that most of the these harbours would best achieve their potential through their transfer to local authority ownership or, where...